SC Assistive Technology Expo

I just wanted to remind everyone about some of the sessions we're offering at the SC Assistive Technology Expo next Tuesday, March 13th at Brookland Banquet and Conference Center. Please share this information with others, and post on Facebook, Twitter, and blogs.

Also, please make note of our next ATAC meetings. Everyone is invited to these but I'd like to know that you're coming, ahead of time.

• Tuesday, March 20th, 2012 at the South Carolina State Library
• Tuesday, May 8th - location to be announced later
• Thursday, July 17th - location to be announced later

Here are some Expo sessions of special interest.

Session 1: 9:30 10:30 AM
Hand-held devices help everyone, including people with disabilities!
Demonstration of apps and features of the Apple iOS mobile operating system (e.g. iPhone, iPad tablet) as well as the Android mobile operating system (e.g. Droid phone, Xoom Tablet) plus other hand-held devices that help people with visual and motor impairments. How these apps help with employment and independent living. Many apps discussed will help people without disabilities, e.g.,people who can't use their hands for access while driving with their respective devices. Jed Elmaleh, PT MPT, CAPS, MSCS and Clay Jeffcoat, SCSDB

Session 2: 11:30 12:30
Video Captioning for Accessibility and Usability
Differentiating between closed captioning and descriptive audio. Designing for readability. Addressing the needs of users with visual and cognitive impairments. Choosing fonts and colors. Free and reasonably priced tools to use in video captioning for the web and educational purposes. Challenges in posting videos on the web. This session is for everyone who uses video, not just web designers. Mark Gamble, Media Specialist, SCVRD

Session 3: 2:00 3:00 PM
Creating Accessible Word, PowerPoint and PDF Documents
Important basic principles that everyone should know about making these documents accessible and usable to people who use screen readers, have cognitive and mobility challenges. Topics include document structure, headings, lists, tables, Alt Text, captions and what happens when Word and PowerPoint documents are converted to tagged PDFs. Overview of some tools that can help repair PDF documents. This session is for everyone who works with these types of documents, not just people who design for the web. Natalie Denning, SC.GOV; Steve Cook, SCCB; Matthew Polkowsky, DHEC

Note: the session above will cover the following areas.

For Microsoft Word:

· Using Styles and Headers

· Proper creation of hyperlinks

· proper labeling of images with alternate text

· Creating lists and using bullets

· Use of Tables and Labeling of cells

For PowerPoint:

· Encouraging use of predesigned slide layouts

· Using the Outline and Notes Panels

· Use of Word Art feature

For PDF:

· how to create a tagged document

· How to run an accessibility check and how to solve common problems encountered

· Tables and Table headings

· Objects not in the Document Tree

· Language Specification

· Image with proper alternate text

· Proper Document Properties information

Session 3: 2:00 3:00 PM

Speech Recognition. In-depth comparison of the most widely used speech recognition programs (Microsoft Speech Recognition, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Via Voice, Speak Q, and Dragon Dictate Apps for use with the iPad/iPhone/iTouch). Crucial factors that enhance the use of these programs. Challenges that might be faced. Skills necessary to use speech recognition and how to get started. Val Gioia and Mark Daniels, SCDE AT Specialists

To read more about the AT Expo, please click on the above title.

To access the CDR catalog, please click on this link.